cholesteatoma

cholesteatoma

[ko″le-ste″ah-to´mah]

a cystlike mass with a lining of stratified squamous epithelium, filled with desquamating debris frequently including cholesterol. Cholesteatomas are most common in the middle ear and mastoid region secondary to trauma or infection that undergoes faulty healing so that epithelium invaginates.

cho·les·te·a·to·ma

(kō'les-tē'ă-tō'mă),

1. Squamous metaplasia or extension of squamous cell epithelium inward to line an expanding cystic cavity that may involve the middle ear or mastoid, erode surrounding bone, and become filled with a mass of keratinized squamous cell epithelial debris, usually resulting from chronic otitis media. The lesion often contains cholesterol clefts surrounded by inflammatory and foreign body giant cells, hence the name cholesteatoma.

2. An epidermoid cyst arising in the central nervous system in humans or animals.

[cholesterol + G. stear (steat-), tallow, + -ōma, tumor]

cholesteatoma

DermatologyA benign plug of keratinised squamous epithelium and cholesterol found in the middle ear after acute otitis media.

ClinicalHearing loss, ear fullness, and pain.

NeuropathologyEpidermoidoma, see there.

cholesteatoma

cho·les·te·a·to·ma

(kō'lĕ-stē'ă-tō'mă)

1.A mass of keratinizing squamous epithelium and cholesterol in the middle ear, usually caused by chronic otitis media, with squamous metaplasia or extension of squamous epithelium inward to line an expanding cystic cavity that may involve the mastoid and erode surrounding bone.

2. An epidermoid cyst arising in the central nervous system in humans or animals.

[cholesterol + G. stear (steat-), tallow, + -ōma, tumor]

cholesteatoma

A tumour-like mass of cells, shed by the outer layer of the skin of an infected eardrum, which relentlessly invades the middle ear through a perforation in the drum, to cause serious internal damage. The condition was once often fatal but advances in microsurgical management with radical clearance of all disease tissue and the use of fibrin glue and bone paté have greatly improved the outlook.

Cholesteatoma

A cystic mass of cells in the middle ear, occurring as a congential defect or as a serious complication of a disease or traumtic condition of the ear.

cho·les·te·a·to·ma

(kō'lĕ-stē'ă-tō'mă)

A mass of keratinizing squamous epithelium and cholesterol in the middle ear, usually caused by chronic otitis media, with squamous metaplasia or extension of squamous epithelium inward to line an expanding cystic cavity that may involve the mastoid and erode surrounding bone.

[cholesterol + G. stear (steat-), tallow, + -ōma, tumor]

Patient discussion about cholesteatoma

Q. Is cholesteatoma a form of cancer? My ear Doctor diagnosed me with cholesteatoma. I am very scared. Does this mean I have cancer? Can I die from this?

A. Cholesteatomas are not a form of cancer. They are benign tumors. They can destroy the bones of hearing as they grow, especially when the ear is infected or if water gets into the middle ear with other infections.Cholesteatomas are not life threatening but should be treated since they can cause complications if are not treated. If not treated, cholesteatomas will eventually erode the bone leading into the inner ear. This can cause nerve loss and deafness as well as severe imbalance and dizziness. The thin plate of bone that separates the roof of the ear from the brain can also be eroded by cholesteatomas. This exposes the covering of the brain. In extreme situations, it can lead to brain infection and other severe complications.

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